‘Let them investigate’ - PNP Chief reacts to charges filed against police involved in Abra shootout

Abra, Philippines – “Di namin sila pipigilan [mag-imbestiga], we’ll allow them to do their part and if they see something wrong, go ahead that’s a due respect to another law enforcement agency,” said General Dionardo Carlos, Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), responding to the question regarding his stance on the murder case filed by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against Cordillera police allegedly involved in the March 29 shootout.

The shootout killed the security aide of Pilar Vice-Mayor Jaja Josefina Somero Disono.

In defense of the police, Carlos said that the persons involved in the incident disregarded the checkpoint and that they were armed.

“Clearly, they disregarded the checkpoint, these are armed men, and there are firearms in that particular incident, so it will be really up to them if they investigate, but at the end of the day, we have our reason why the chase or the hot pursuit happen,” Carlos stated.

Carlos noted the fact that the authorities just did their job, as proven by the confiscation of firearms from the security aides, and that the vice mayor had no clearance to hire guards from the Commission on Election.

The PNP chief also expressed that he is not in favor of discharging the involved policemen.

Meantime, the PNP chief assured that the election will be peaceful, particularly in Pilar.

Who are the police officials facing charges?

As recalled, NBI in its April 28 statement said that NBI - National Capital Region (NCR) filed murder charges against the police officers allegedly involved in said shootout and that charges were already filed at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Charged with murder are PBGEN Ronald O. Lee, PNP-CAR Regional Director; P/COL Maly Castillo Cula, PNP - Abra Provincial Director; PLt.Col. Melencio M. Mina, Chief of Provincial Intelligence Unit of PNP - Abra Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit; PCpt. Ronald G. Eslabra, Acting Chief of Police of the Pilar Municipal Police Station; PLt. Boyd Leeson Dom-Oguen Kis-Ing; Pat. Frenzel Paus Alperez; PCpl. Allan Dale M. Sabiano; PCpl. Joedel G. Jove; PCpl. Ariel Felipe; Pat. Pietro Delmar T. Aveño; PSMS. Sandy C. Claveria; and PCpl. Chrisler D. Lucas.

Also charged are Rodrigo V. Basa II, the Election Officer of the Commission on Elections as well as several other unidentified police officers assigned at Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15; several other unidentified police officers assigned at Pilar Municipal Police Station (MPS); and several unidentified police officers assigned at the Provincial Intelligence Unit, Abra Provincial Police Office.

The NBI said “in addition to the murder charges, perjury and incriminating an innocent person were also filed against PLt. Kis-Ing, PCpl. Sabiniano, Pat. Aveno, PCpl. Jove, and Pat. Alperez.”

Why NBI filed the cases?

The investigation was conducted by NBI following the complaint from Pilar Mayor Mark Ronald Somera, Disono, and the sister of Sanee Boy Bermudo, the deceased victim security aide of the vice-mayor.

“Based on the investigation conducted by the NBI-NCR, the convoy of Vice Mayor Disono was deliberately fired upon by the involved police officers,” revealed the bureau.

NBI further stated the police initially claimed that they were conducting a legitimate Comelec checkpoint along Berona Street, Pilar, Abra, when the shootout occurred.

However, CCTV footage gathered by the investigating team showed there was no visible checkpoint along the said area at that time.

The NBI further belied PNP’s claim that its “557″ police vehicle was fired upon by one of the passengers of Disono’s convoy.

“Based on the CCTV footage, the Police Mobile bearing the marking “557″ was seen pursuing the target van without a bullet hole and suddenly stopped pursuing the van. Minutes later, the said Police Mobile suddenly showed up with an evident bullet hole in the front passenger,” explained the bureau.

LISTEN TO STATION 1 RADIO: CLICK ME

OTHER NEWS 

Rider dies in Tabuk City motorcycle-truck collision

Follow Guru Press Cordillera  on Facebook for more News and Information